intrinsic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent
-
anatomy situated within or peculiar to a part
intrinsic muscles
Related Words
See essential.
Other Word Forms
- intrinsically adverb
Etymology
Origin of intrinsic
First recorded in 1480–90; Middle English intrinsique “inner,” from Old French intrinseque “internal, inner,” from Late Latin intrinsecus “inward” (adjective), from Latin intrinsecus “on the inside, inwards” (adverb), equivalent to intrin- (from int(e)r-, as in interior + -im, an old accusative ending used as an adverb suffix + secus “beside,” derivative of sequī “to follow”)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Existing models, even those developed in China, "have intrinsic bias towards Western values, culture and ethos -- as a product of being trained heavily on that consensus", Sai told AFP.
From Barron's
These unchanging things have intrinsic value and beauty that time can’t touch and that grow with age.
‘We want inexpensive companies where we have a different view of intrinsic value than the market, with a catalyst.’
From MarketWatch
But those events tend to be intrinsic to business rather than externalities such as White House maneuvers or geopolitics.
From Los Angeles Times
"I wouldn't want to be a designer in Aston Martin. That's a very impressive set of wishbones on that car. Really, really intrinsic or interesting design."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.